Apparatus for supplying gas to internal combustion engines



March 1, 1938. A K us 2,109,963

' APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING GAS TO INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Aug.13, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventm J1 Z0272 HEW/s e March 1, 1938. KRUSE2,109,963

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING GASiTO INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Aug.15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z Eb/' Inventor Jlvz'n H hr Attorney PatentedMar. l, 1938 UNITED s'm'r enacts APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYKNG GAS TO IN-TIERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Alvin H. Kruse, Sunburst, Mont.

Application August 13, 1936, Serial No. 95,903

1 Claim.

This invention relates to fuel control mechanisms for internalcombustion engines and more particularly to a device for use insupplying natural gas to such type of engines.

Briefly the invention consists in the provision of an improved valvewhich may be applied either directly to the air intake of a carbureteror to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and whichvalve is adapted to operate in response to suction created by theinternal combustion engine for controlling the supply of a mixture ofnatural gas and air to the internal combustion engine.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure l is side elevational view, illustrating the application of theinvention to an internal combustion engine of the stationary type.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken sub stantially on line 2-2of- Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the valve forming the salient featureof the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a valve stem.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig.4, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a valve.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, it will be seen thatthe gas supply device, embodying the features of the present inventionis indicated generally by the reference numeral 5. In a preferredembodiment thereof, the device 5 comprises a casing B somewhat similarto a globe valve casing having at one side thereof an internallythreaded intake neck 7, and at a relatively opposite side thereof aninternally threaded outlet neck 8. a

Interiorly the casing 6 is provided with a partition 9 having anapertured central section providing a passage l0 communicating theportions of the valve casing 6 at opposite sides of the partition, andpresenting about the passage I0 an annular valve seat ll.

4.3 For the top of the valve there is also provided a bonnet l2 that hasscrew threaded connection with the valve casing 6.

Also the valve casing 6 has integral with and extending downwardly fromthe'bottom thereof,

5'.) a tubular extension l3. Threaded into the extension I 3 where itjoins with the casing 6 is a removable valve seat l4.

Threaded into the lower end of the extension I 3 is a valve stem guideIS, the bore of which at 55 the lower end of the guide is closed by aplug [6 The extension-l3 also has an internally threaded lateral inletneck l! to which is coupled one end of a natural gas conduit I8 leadingfrom any suitable source of supply as suggested in Fig. 1.

Working through the bonnet I2 is the upper 5 end of an elongated valvestem l9. Stem l9 has an intermediate threaded section 20 with which isassociated the disk valve 2| that is secured at the desired adjustmenton the stem 20 through the medium of a neck 22. 10

Also below the threaded section 20, stem I9 is provided with asubstantially conical valve core 23 which works through and cooperateswith the valve seat It for controlling communication between the casing6 of the valve and the tubular 15 extension l3.

At its smallest end, the valve core 23 merges into the cylindricalextension 24 of the stem l9, and this extension 26 has a snug slidingfit within the stem guide l5. -Extension 24 is'also pro- 20 vided with aslot 25 which serves as an escape for air from the guide l5 so as topermit the stem l9 to move downwardly for proper seating of the valves2i and 23.

The bonnet I2 is hollowed out as at 26 to 5 accommodate a collar 21adjustable on the stem I 9 and secured at the desired adjustment throughthe medium of a set screw 28. Collar 29 is suitably adjusted on the stem9 to limit the upward movement of the stem 9. 30

Also at its upper end, the stem [9 is provided with a threaded pin 29 toaccommodate a suitably threaded weight 30. Various sizes of weights 30may be employed, as may be found desirable.

In Fig. 1 is illustrated the application of the invention to an internalcombustion engine 3| of the stationary type. The engine 3| is equippedwith, among other parts, a conventional carbureter 32. In applying theinvention to such an engine, I have illustrated the valve casing 6 ofthe device 5 as having its outlet end 8 screw threadedly engaged withthe air intake of the carbureter 32.

The operation of the device may be briefly describedras follows:

When the device is in operation, a vacuum in the valve casing 6 abovethe partition 9 is produced by engine suction. Under such conditionsvalve 2| will move upwardly off of its seat ll, stem I9 rising to alsounseat the valve core 23. Air from the atmosphere enters the casing 6while the fuel from the source of supply passes into the extension l3and through the valve seat l4 into the casing to mix with the airentering through the ports 1 The mixture of gas and air flows throughthe port III to the opposite side of the partition 9 and from the casing6 through the outlet 8 into the carbureter, passing of course from thecarbureter into the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine.

It is obvious that valves 2| and 23 will remain unseated as long asthere is any suction, and as the speed of the engine increases, stem [9will rise for further unseating the valves 2| and 23, the limit of theupward movementof the stem l9 being determined by the position ofadjustment of the collar 21. Thus it will be seen that the supply ofnatural gas and air to the engine will be regulated in consonance withthe speed of the engine, with the result that the exact proportions ofair and gas suitable for eflicientoperation of an internal combustionengine using natural gas as a fuel are easily obtained.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:-- Y a Anair and gas mixing device comprising a casing having a partition thereinand providedat one side with a mixing chamber having a gas inlet and anair intake and provided on the opposite. side with a suction chamberhaving a fuel ,gas and air mixture outlet, said partition being alsoprovided with a port therethrough in line with the gas inlet and withthe valve seat surroundingsaid port on the suction side of the casing, avalve stem extending throughthe said port and through the said gas inletof the said casing, a suction valve on said stem engageable with saidseat, a gas chamber in communication with the gas inlet of the casingand having means for 'connection with the source of gas supply, a valveseating member in said gas inlet, a valve integral with said stem andengaging the valve seating member for shutting of! communication betweenthe casing and the said gas chamber, said last mentioned valve beingunseated by corresponding movement of the suction valve, weight means onsaid stem for holding said valve seated in response to the defect ofgravity, a plug threaded in one end of the gas chamber and having a boretherethrough closed at its outer end, said bore constituting a guide forone end of the valve stem, said end of the valve stem having a splitextending longitudinally therein and terminating beyond the guide toprovide an air escape for the uide.

ALVIN H. KRUSE.

